Review of "Heroes Die" by Matthew Woodring Stover

A surprising and fun romp through two worlds, one sci-fi and even cyberpunk, the other more classical fantasy. I’m keen to read the rest of the series, and I’m looking forward to learning more about the corporate dystopia from which Caine originates.

Stover’s writing is exceptional: richly painted yet also concise. I’ll be checking out his other work for sure.

If you enjoy a science fantasy mix, this series should be on your radar.

This is my second time round with this series and it’s as enjoyable as the first time. I like the 2nd one more than the first, mainly because of the new characters of Kalliades and Banokles, plus the extra time we get to spend with the enigmatic Odysseus. I particularly enjoyed the sections with Ganny, the heroic pig.

As ever, Gemmell’s characters are rapidly yet richly drawn, with Banokles having a number of Druss’s archetypal features that often find their way into Gemmell’s stories (which I’m certainly not complaining about).

It's a rare occasion when you pick up a new author and know within the first few pages that you'll want to read everything they publish. Segmentation Fault was that kind of story for me.

The core of the story is about the love between two people and what might happen if we erase memories or past trauma, unflinchingly exploring the possible consequences, ending with a crushing gut-punch. Segmentation Fault takes a hard topic and treats it with respect while not shying away from it or the consequences.

All of this is set against a tantalising cyberpunk backdrop with intriguing wordlbuilding sprinkled liberally throughout. Klements doesn't hold your hand, and doesn't feel the need to explain every detail, giving you just the right amount of information to get your bearings. This is a story that respects your intelligence.

The prose itself was another standout. It's crisp and full of style, but also a breeze to read - a pairing that's hard to find.

Can't recommend this enough. Give it a read.